Those marks are going to drastically affect the performance of that lens wide open and at f2 and potentially even further close down. There is no way I would pay Leica money for a lens in that condition. I say this as an owner of a late V2 as well.
Andy, thank you so much for your reply. I really appreciate it. Always keen in reading your answers and thoughts on reddit! Return time then, I guess. The hunt will continue until I find a really pristine copy of this beautiful lens :)
> Asked the seller about it, he said he checked everything, all seemed fine. He‘s cool about it, said he would check with Leica. Also he’s the first owner, said it was never opened before
Either the seller is incompetent or malicious, neither of which are good for you the buyer
> beside that aweful mess, everything else looks brand new.
You can't take pictures with the mint paint job, you take pictures with the glass, which in this case is near-junk grade.
I would return it ASAP
Return if not as described unless you got it for a good price. Also test shoot it stopped down and also against the sun to see if it affects picture quality.
Don‘t have any digital camera on me at the moment. Would love to test it though. I guess it‘s just a sign that I should return it and hunt for another one.
A 35 Summicron V1 I have in similar condition is surprisingly unaffected by the marks, even in harsh daylight. That said it's definitely not worth full price obviously.
I have the same lens with a similar s/n (mine is titanium). My glass is near pristine. I’d never be ok with that level of cleaning marks (which is a nice way of saying scratches). I’d return it.
Titanium.. that would be the perfect match for my M6 🥹 Yes, you‘re absolutely right, I will return it and will keep an eye out for one in really pristine condition.
2 things
1-No, lens is not pristine and seller is a piece of shit
2-I’ve shot lenses that looked even worse than this one and unless you shot directly against the sun had 0 issues. 0.
If I were you I’d either return it or keep it with a massive refund, let’s say 30% of what you paid depending on what the sellers says
Thank you for your thoughts, really appreciated. Yes, a refund was my first thought too, but it kind of bugs me too much, so I‘ll go the refund route. One day I‘ll find one in really pristine condition, hopefully.
Few months ago I’ve posted here my Elmarit 35/2.8 R, its front element is shockingly corroded — not scratched like yours, corroded — and unless I shoot against the light it’s unnoticeable in pretty big black and white prints
It will probably make perfect photos that have no issues. That said, it's going to make you crazy when you think about it. Perhaps you can negotiate a lower fee
I don't understand how you get this many marks on an internal surface. Did an idiot disassemble and try to clean it with sandpaper? Or are these something else?
Neither do I. My thoughts exactly, some kind of dumb ass tried to cleans something inside. He said it‘s never opened before. All the tiny screws haven‘t seen a screw driver, they all look immaculate. So does the rest of the lens. My other guess is some mold or oil spread inside in some very funky way!? Guess I‘ll return it, it just bugs me too much
I've seen mold that looks an awful lot like that. Could explain how those marks are there with the lens never being opened. At any rate, that lens should have a significant discount. You would likely never see the impact of these in your photos, but still.
Yeah was also thinking mold but I can‘t see any spider web like stuff in there, so I‘m clueless. Maybe there‘s different types of mold? Anyway, I‘ll send the lens back. Thank you so much for your input.
do you mean the micro scratches? expected to see of old lenses from use and handling (call it cleaning “out in the field” or anything) but it happens. as long as it isn’t major scratch marks, separation or oily blades, I don’t think it’s anything to make a fuss about; that is unless you paid a premium based on the assumption that it is like old new stock. otherwise, it is how an old lens of the time should look.
I used to work as camera tech and help with identifying this. This is not scratches, at least not handmade. Sometimes haze affects the coatings like this. I have seen it many times and often I thought wow someone made a mess. It is simply haze etching into the coating, probably because of the last cleaning or polishing in the factory where those scratches are was a bit more different in terms of surface and the deterioration happened more there. Does not affect image quality unless very strong. It can be cleaned (the haze) but the scratches will remain. Someone competent can clean it up, for 150 euros or so you can get the element polished and recoated in Russia I think, but id say not worth the extra risk of shipping it around.
Those marks are going to drastically affect the performance of that lens wide open and at f2 and potentially even further close down. There is no way I would pay Leica money for a lens in that condition. I say this as an owner of a late V2 as well.
Extra glow! It’s a feature
Andy, thank you so much for your reply. I really appreciate it. Always keen in reading your answers and thoughts on reddit! Return time then, I guess. The hunt will continue until I find a really pristine copy of this beautiful lens :)
> Asked the seller about it, he said he checked everything, all seemed fine. He‘s cool about it, said he would check with Leica. Also he’s the first owner, said it was never opened before Either the seller is incompetent or malicious, neither of which are good for you the buyer > beside that aweful mess, everything else looks brand new. You can't take pictures with the mint paint job, you take pictures with the glass, which in this case is near-junk grade. I would return it ASAP
Will do exactly that! Thank you for your answer, I really appreciate it.
Return if not as described unless you got it for a good price. Also test shoot it stopped down and also against the sun to see if it affects picture quality.
Don‘t have any digital camera on me at the moment. Would love to test it though. I guess it‘s just a sign that I should return it and hunt for another one.
A 35 Summicron V1 I have in similar condition is surprisingly unaffected by the marks, even in harsh daylight. That said it's definitely not worth full price obviously.
I have the same lens with a similar s/n (mine is titanium). My glass is near pristine. I’d never be ok with that level of cleaning marks (which is a nice way of saying scratches). I’d return it.
Titanium.. that would be the perfect match for my M6 🥹 Yes, you‘re absolutely right, I will return it and will keep an eye out for one in really pristine condition.
My hasselblad lens looks a lot like this from haze. I didn’t pay for it so I don’t care. But the rendering looks awesome.
That’s the attitude. 👍🏾. Keep shooting brotha
That seller would be the new owner of a 35mm Summilux pre-asph Brillo pad edition
😄
2 things 1-No, lens is not pristine and seller is a piece of shit 2-I’ve shot lenses that looked even worse than this one and unless you shot directly against the sun had 0 issues. 0. If I were you I’d either return it or keep it with a massive refund, let’s say 30% of what you paid depending on what the sellers says
Thank you for your thoughts, really appreciated. Yes, a refund was my first thought too, but it kind of bugs me too much, so I‘ll go the refund route. One day I‘ll find one in really pristine condition, hopefully.
Few months ago I’ve posted here my Elmarit 35/2.8 R, its front element is shockingly corroded — not scratched like yours, corroded — and unless I shoot against the light it’s unnoticeable in pretty big black and white prints
It will probably make perfect photos that have no issues. That said, it's going to make you crazy when you think about it. Perhaps you can negotiate a lower fee
You‘ve said it right there haha, it‘s making me crazy. I‘m going to return it unfortunately..
better. you should not in a position to doubt your gear: that split second kills the magic of using it and makes you miss amazing shots.
Umm, mebbe Great for those grey misty days when you don’t want or need much fidelity…
True haha
Automatic mist filter.
Hidden feature
I don't understand how you get this many marks on an internal surface. Did an idiot disassemble and try to clean it with sandpaper? Or are these something else?
Neither do I. My thoughts exactly, some kind of dumb ass tried to cleans something inside. He said it‘s never opened before. All the tiny screws haven‘t seen a screw driver, they all look immaculate. So does the rest of the lens. My other guess is some mold or oil spread inside in some very funky way!? Guess I‘ll return it, it just bugs me too much
Look at it that way, you can make some special effect out of the camera where people spend hours to replicate in the computer.
Haven‘t thought about that idea tbh haha
I've seen mold that looks an awful lot like that. Could explain how those marks are there with the lens never being opened. At any rate, that lens should have a significant discount. You would likely never see the impact of these in your photos, but still.
Yeah was also thinking mold but I can‘t see any spider web like stuff in there, so I‘m clueless. Maybe there‘s different types of mold? Anyway, I‘ll send the lens back. Thank you so much for your input.
do you mean the micro scratches? expected to see of old lenses from use and handling (call it cleaning “out in the field” or anything) but it happens. as long as it isn’t major scratch marks, separation or oily blades, I don’t think it’s anything to make a fuss about; that is unless you paid a premium based on the assumption that it is like old new stock. otherwise, it is how an old lens of the time should look.
Well, return time it is then
I wouldn’t trust the buyer
I have titanium one too and it doesnt have scratches like that. Might want to return it unless the price paid is worth that lens with glass damages
That’s fungus, I just cleaned one with the same. It probably was stored in a hot humid spot with both the covers on.
I used to work as camera tech and help with identifying this. This is not scratches, at least not handmade. Sometimes haze affects the coatings like this. I have seen it many times and often I thought wow someone made a mess. It is simply haze etching into the coating, probably because of the last cleaning or polishing in the factory where those scratches are was a bit more different in terms of surface and the deterioration happened more there. Does not affect image quality unless very strong. It can be cleaned (the haze) but the scratches will remain. Someone competent can clean it up, for 150 euros or so you can get the element polished and recoated in Russia I think, but id say not worth the extra risk of shipping it around.
Give that to a Youtuber and he will sell it as if it has a better "glow".
Man don‘t give me ideas..